Stormwater Management
What is Stormwater?
Stormwater 101 Video
When it rains or as snow melts the water needs to go somewhere. Some water soaks into the ground, some evaporates, and the rest flows over land into creeks, ponds, wetlands, and eventually into rivers and lakes. In urban areas, rain cannot soak into the ground because it cannot pass through concrete, asphalt, rooftops, and other impervious materials. As water runs over these surfaces it picks up and carries pollutants such as oil, gas, lawn fertilizers, and other debris, downstream to our rivers and lakes. In rural areas, chemical fertilizers and manure can be carried by rainwater into drainage ditches that eventually make it to Lake Winnebago and other inland bodies of water.
Harrison Stormwater Utility
The Village of Harrison Stormwater Utility was created to finance methods used to control pollutants and suspended solids (sediment). Using detention ponds, drainage swales, rain gardens, and street sweeping, the Village can improve water quality and reduce the amount of stormwater before flows into lakes and streams.
The stormwater utility is funded by charging landowners a fee based on the amount of impervious area on a property. Funds collected are used to maintain stormwater facilities throughout the Village.
Stormwater Discharge Permit
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has issued a stormwater discharge permit to the Village of Harrison.
The permit requires that the Village have a stormwater management program in place that includes the following:
- Public Education and Outreach
- Public Involvement and Participation
- Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination
- Construction Site Pollution Control
- Post-Construction Site Storm Water Management
- Municipal Pollution Prevention
Stormwater Management Permit Application
The Village of Harrison requires private developments to submit an Erosion Control and Stormwater Management Permit Application(PDF, 192KB) and receive approval from the Village through its’ Village Engineer before any excavation can begin. To start the process, the application shall be submitted to the Planning and Development department of the Village.
Homeowner Resources
The Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance provides resources for residents to take part in renewing our waters. The links below show how residents can participate.
Tips on Stormwater Pollution Prevention
Everyone can help prevent pollutants from entering the stormwater in the following ways:
- Don't throw cigarette butts or other garbage from your car. Dispose of properly in the garbage.
- Wash your car on the lawn or at the car wash.
- Pick up and dispose of pet waste by placing it in a bag and putting it in the garbage.
- Reduce fertilizer and weed control use.
- Mow your lawn as to keep the grass clippings out of the street and gutter.
- Keep leaf piles several feet away from inlet grates.
- Never dump or stockpile dirt or wood chips in the street.
- Direct downspouts to your lawn.
- Keep your car tuned and fix leaks immediately.
- Consider installing stormwater retention methods on your property.
Report potentially dangerous spills immediately to the 24/7 hotline 1(800) 943-0003